Description
Book SynopsisCovering the range of clinical presentations, treatments, and levels of care, Borderline Personality Disorder: A Clinical Guide, Second Edition, provides a comprehensive guide to the diagnosis and treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD). The second edition includes new research about BPD's relationship to other disorders and up-to-date descriptions of empirically validated treatments, including cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic approaches. Compelling new research also indicates a much better prognosis for BPD than previously known.
A pioneer in the field, author John Gunderson, M.D., director of the Borderline Personality Disorder Center at McLean Hospital, draws from nearly 40 years of research and clinical experience. The guide begins with a clear and specific definition of BPD, informed by a nuanced overview of the historical evolution of the diagnosis and a thoughtful discussion of misdiagnosis. Offering a complete evaluation of treatment approaches, Dr. Gunderson provides an authoritative overview of the treatment options and describes in-depth each modality of treatment, including pharmacotherapy, family therapy, individual and group therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapies.
Unlike other works, this book guides clinicians in using multiple modalities, including the sequence of treatments and the types of changes that can be expected from each mode. The discussion of each treatment emphasizes empirically validated therapies, helping clinicians choose modalities that work best for specific patients. In addition, Borderline Personality Disorder: A Clinical Guide, Second Edition, also outlines therapeutic approaches for multiple settings, such as hospitalization, partial hospitalization or day hospital programs, and levels of outpatient care.
Complementing the well-organized treatment guide are a series of informative and intriguing sidebars, providing insight into the subjective experience of BPD, addressing myths about therapeutic alliances in BPD, and questioning the efficacy of contracting for safety. Throughout the book, Dr. Gunderson recommends specific do's and don'ts for disclosing the diagnosis, discussing medications, meeting with families, starting psychotherapy, and managing suicidality.
A synthesis of theory and practical examples, Borderline Personality Disorder: A Clinical Guide, Second Edition, provides a thorough and practical manual for any clinician working with BPD patients.
Trade ReviewDr. Gunderson was instrumental in the identification and understanding of borderline personality disorder. This book synthesizes his invaluable experience and wisdom with the most up-to-date clinical data. The two chapters on psychopharmacology are highly informative. In this well written book, Dr. Gunderson exhibits a sensitivity to all concerned in treatment — patients, clinicians, families — that is rarely seen. I would highly recommend this book for any clinician, therapist, patient, or family member touched by borderline personality disorder.
* Doody Enterprises *
If you treat borderline personality disorder patients and want to deepen your understanding of these patients, read this book. This recommendation applies whether you are a resident, a clinician in private practice, a teacher, or a supervising administrator. There is something here for everyone.
* American Journal of Psychiatry *
Table of ContentsAbout the Authors
Introduction
Chapter 1. The borderline diagnosis
Chapter 2. Differential diagnosis: Overlaps, subtleties, and treatment implications
Chapter 3. Overview of treatment
Chapter 4. Case Management: The primary clinician
Chapter 5. Levels of care: Indications, structure, staffing
Chapter 6. Pharmacotherapy: Clinical practices
Chapter 7. Pharmacotherapy: Selection of medications
Chapter 8. Family interventions and therapies
Chapter 9. Group therapy
Chapter 10. Individual psychotherapies: Getting started
Chapter 11. Cognitive-behavioral therapies: Dialectical behavior therapy and cognitive therapies
Chapter 12. Psychodynamic psychotherapies
Chapter 13. Future considerations
Appendix: Psychoeducational resources
Index
